World leaders back Ouattara as Ivory Coast poll winner
Baku, December 4 (AZERTAC). World leaders have voiced their support for Ivory Coast opposition candidate Alassane Ouattara, saying he is the true winner of a presidential run-off.
The country`s Constitutional Council has overturned results to declare President Laurent Gbagbo the winner - he is due to be sworn in shortly.
The US, UN, France and the West African bloc Ecowas have urged Mr Gbagbo to accept defeat.
The poll was intended to reunify the country after a civil war in 2002.
Prime Minister Guillaume Soro warned the overturning of the results threatened to derail attempts to stabilise and re-unify the country.
On Thursday, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) declared that Mr Ouattara had won the 28 November run-off by 54.1% to 45.9%.
But after Mr Gbagbo and his supporters alleged the ballot had been fraudulent, the Constitutional Council overruled the Commission.
Chairman Paul Yao N`Dre said Mr Gbagbo had secured just over 51% of the vote.
Ivorian state media said Mr Gbagbo would be sworn in at a midday ceremony on Saturday.
US President Barack Obama has rejected the council`s decision.
"Independent Electoral Commission, credible and accredited observers and the United Nations have all confirmed this result and attested to its credibility," he said.
He congratulated Mr Ouattara and said the international community would "hold those who act to thwart the democratic process and the will of the electorate accountable for their actions".
President Nicolas Sarkozy of France - the former colonial power in Ivory Coast - told Mr Gbagbo to "respect the will of the people, abstain from any action that might provoke violence" and to help establish peace.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon earlier called on Mr Gbagbo "to do his part for the good of the country and to cooperate in a smooth political transition".
The chairman of regional bloc Ecowas, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, said all parties should "respect and fully implement the verdict of the Ivorian people as declared by the Independent Electoral Commission".
The head of the UN mission in Ivory Coast also said it regarded Mr Ouattara as the winner, while the African Union said it was "deeply concerned" by the developments.
Mr Ouattara told reporters on Thursday evening: "I am the elected president of the Republic of Ivory Coast."
"The Constitutional Council has abused its authority, the whole world knows it, and I am sorry for my country`s image," he said.
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